The Vanuatu Football Federation President, Oceania Football Confederation President and FIFA Vice President Lambert Maltock congratulates the newly elected Port Vila Football Association President Andrew Leong, in a letter sent via email yesterday 28 October 2020.
Mr. Leong who is the owner of Galaxy FC and a long time manager and sponsor for Amicale Football Club was elected this week by PVFA Executive with Harry Atisson from Erakor Golden Star as the Vice President and Richard Tatwin from North Efate United as the General Secretary, among others.
“On this very special year of 40th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Vanuatu, it is my great pleasure to convey to you personally and to the Port-Vila Football Association newly elected Executive Members and the football clubs families of Port-Vila, our warm greetings and congratulations on behalf of Vanuatu Football Federation as President, on behalf of OFC as President and on behalf of FIFA as FIFA Vice President”, he wrote.
“Football is a game that we all love and have so much passion about it in Vanuatu, regardless whatever background of sports and interests each one has had. Vanuatu is indeed a diehard and crazy Nation of football as I have always proudly testified anywhere to anyone around the globe. Because of that, each and everyone of us at his own effort and strive has been trying all his best to make it shine in the region and in the world.”
Leong has invested a lot in Vanuatu football and also lifting the standard of football in Vanuatu through Amicale FC when he was the manager the club has reached and lost the finals of the 2010–11 and 2013–14 OFC Champions League, both times against Auckland City.
He has also imported players from Solomon Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Europe to Vanuatu which raised the bar as committed football person and investor.
“In effect, you are one of those passionate and diehard people who selflessly invested time, energy and money to ensure that Vanuatu could reach the top of the pyramid in the region. Such dream and endeavour has taken you for a very long journey and now finally landed at the top of Port-Vila Football Association Presidency. This is of course a result of trust and confidence placed on you”, Maltock raised.
Among the new team is the Vanuatu sports media personality Harry Atisson like many football executive today who have had football records as players or officials, he was a former referee that set foot in the FIFA youth world cup stage and also in many Oceania and FIFA competitions in the 11 outdoor and also Beach Soccer.
Atisson is a former VFF Media Officer and with all the experience gain, he will now serve with Leong as the Vice-President of the Port Vila Football League, which is considered the best football league in Vanuatu consisting of 3 competitions: Port Vila Premier League, Port Vila First Division and the Port Vila Second Division.
Maltock also congratulates the newly elected Executive Committee Members stating that VFF and OFC welcome their new role and Leong’s responsibility as head of PVFA of the original, oldest and elite league of the Country.
“Certainly, this is a personal achievement adding to your profile which should be filled with happiness and joy, and need to be celebrated as a reward to remember all the unforgettable memories of past struggles, unique moments of highest challenges and potential successes which have been denied at several occasions to reach the highest pinnacle of football in the region. Nonetheless, I am sure you will continue to live on with your dream”, he wrote.
“May I close to remind again as President of OFC and FIFA Vice President that the role of a President of any Club, League or Association or Confederation in any country or in the region is not a privilege but a duty to fulfil and a mission to accomplish in respect of one’s country and region. It is indeed not an easy mission to be accomplished alone but with collaboration and cooperation with everyone around you. Football is a team game and has above all respect team spirit as core element and indispensable catalyst to cause changes and success.”
“I look forward to be working with you and your new Executive for the betterment of football in Port-Vila, Vanuatu and Oceania Region”, Maltock concluded.
Just after his election, Andrew Leong and his new executive immediately prioritise tasks and one of their mission they revealed on social media this week is to erect shelters around the stadium.
